[Congratulations! You've bought the house]
[Arthum cost: 500,000; Arthum remaining: 4,298,000]
Since I had over four million Arthum, I figured it was better to buy a house in Heaven Elzoma instead of saving my coordinates at an inn that kept charging me every time I teleported between the heavens.
Of course, the inn fees were low compared to what I spent on the house—but it was still worth every bit.
My initial plan was to buy a house in the eleventh heaven. However, I didn't exactly clear the heaven by usual means, nor did I even visit the central city. So, it was a good alternative to buy a house in the following heaven.
This way, I could teleport back to my house whenever I needed a break—regardless of the heaven I'd be in.
"This house looks amazing!" Shika exclaimed, "So it's now yours. But why did you choose this one? That one looks more impressive."
She pointed to a house a few blocks ahead.
This residential area, where players could buy their own homes, was filled with all kinds of houses—each with its unique style and design.
Shika pointed to a house with traditional Chinese architecture—it resembled a shrine from the outside. Since she used to live in one, that could be why it caught her attention.
I mean, yeah, she could point to the house next to us. It was a classic western type two-storeyed. But she didn't.
The one I chose, though, was a traditional Japanese-style house—the kind with an open-air bath. Yep, it had a built-in open-air bath mentioned right in the description, and that alone was enough to seal the deal for me. Besides, I was more familiar with Japanese customs since I was born Japanese.
"Ah don't worry about that. The houses are just different from the outside. From inside, they're all the same. We just needed a place to stay the night and enjoy a good meal. This house would be just fine. Top of that, there's something I want to try out as well." I replied.
"Oh, I see." She continued, "In that case, leave the task of preparing food to me. I may be a good fighter, but I'm an excellent cook too."
"You are?"
"Indeed I am."
"That reduces the labor, I guess." I said to her shockingly, "Then let's go inside."
As she nodded, I opened the front gate.
[Coordination Saved: Personal Home in Heaven Elzoma]
The interior was as I had imagined—reminiscent of traditional Japanese inn-like decorations. Despite being the darkness of the evening outside, the inside was unimaginably glistening with bright light. It was even furnished as well.
At first, I took a look at the entire house. The kitchen, the dining, the bedrooms, the open-air bath, and everything else looked so real. Although I knew that this was just a VR game—designed to provide a real experience, it was oddly becoming a reality to me, making me wonder sometimes that I should even seek my way out to my real world!
In any case, it gave a familiar vibe which I'd been urging for long. And now, it was finally there.
"Shika, cook this however you like." I began unloading my inventory which was piled with meats and mushrooms that I hunted back in the lower heavens and ate whenever I felt hungry.
"Wait wait! This many isn't necessary. Just give me a few. That'll be enough for us three."
'Three? Oh right, right. I almost forgot about Zariel.' I thought smilingly, hiding my embarrassment. Shika didn't know that I forgot, though. Before she could take on the wind, I summoned Zariel.
[Zariel has been summoned through the secondary class: Summoner]
"Hiya…" She stretched her hands upwards as soon as she appeared, "I thought you forgot about me, Zan~"
"I guess I would've." I said in a teasing manner, "But even if I would, you'd summon yourself either way."
"That's for certain." She gave me a cheering smile, "So, I guess this is the house you once spoke of to me. What's so good about it anyway?"
"You'll be thrilled once you know." I smirked, making a smug face, "Shika, while you're making us dinner, will it be alright if I gave Zariel a tour of this house?"
"Sure." She nodded as she sliced the rabbit meat, "Just don't take too long and get back before the dinner gets ready."
Her gesture kind of reminded me of my mom—overly cautious all the time. She looked just like my mom as a typical housewife.
In any case, that wasn't what I wanted to think over now. I took Zariel to the open bath I had once mentioned to her about my own world. Yup! She knew that I was stuck inside of this game—which, by the way, was a different world from her perspective.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
As I walked gently on the wooden floor, Zariel flew next to my ear. I could see the enthusiasm in her eyes that sparkled like stars.
Walking through the corridor, I halted where the bath sign was. I opened the door, sliding it rightwards. There was a changing room at first, then there was the bath surrounded by walls that prevented any other players from peeking.
It was vast, with stones all around. When I looked at it earlier, I started the automatic feature that almost prepared the bath. Zariel on the other hand was about to jump on the bath.
Seeing her, I pulled her back and yelled.
"Not so fast. This isn't even prepared yet. And don't even think to take a bath before dinner."
"Come on Zan~~" she mumbled, putting the sweetest melody in her voice, "Just one little dive. Besides, it'll take a while for dinner to get ready. Meanwhile, why don't we bathe together— Just you and me…"
"Not!" I turned her down, "You'll take a bath after dinner and with Shika not with me."
"Why? Oh, I get it. You want to peek at two beautiful women while in a bath, don't you? Quite the naughty, eh Zan~"
To put a stop to her teasing, I smacked a chop on her. She rolled in the air two times and then got a hold of herself.
"Hey, what was that for, you jerk!" She yelled, holding her head with a feigned expression of getting hurt.
"Don't go imagine the things I won't do." I replied, making a dominating gesture around me, "If you do regardless and don't follow what I tell you to, consider yourself trapped in the Astral realm. I won't summon you ever again."
Of course, that was just a tease.
"What? You must have heard wrong, boss! I said, whatever you ask, I'll do that right away, hehe!!" she put on a promising act, smiling cheerfully as ever.
"Good for you. Now let's go back. Shika might be waiting with the food." I walked back and she followed.
Considering how little time was needed in this game, I wouldn't be surprised if she was done with making dinner by now. Well, in any case, I was eager to see what she would make.